Results from a retrospective, multicenter study by French researchers that investigated treatment options for infection after reverse shoulder arthroplasty supported the use of debridement as a first-line treatment, but noted this option had a 54% healing rate.

Researchers studied 32 patients who had reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) and underwent reoperation for infection. In 23 cases, the involved implant was a primary prosthesis. In nine cases, revision prostheses were the involved implant. As six patients required two successive surgeries, a total of 38 procedures were performed which included debridement, one-stage revision, two-stage revision or implant removal.

Findings showed the total complication rate was 26%. Investigators cited Propionbacterium acnes and coagulase-negative staphylococci as the main causes for infection. Of the 32 patients, 26 patients had infections that completely cured. At the last follow-up, patients had a total Constant score of 46, with a mean gain of 12 points.

The mean postoperative Constant score after debridement was 51, and healing rate with the procedure was 54%. Investigators found Constant scores of 46 for one- or two-stage revision procedures vs. 25 for implant removal; however, the healing rates were comparable for the revision and removal groups. Surgical treatment did not significantly improve patients with low initial Constant scores, according to researchers. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo

Disclosures: Jacquot reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.

Results from a retrospective, multicenter study by French researchers that investigated treatment options for infection after reverse shoulder arthroplasty supported the use of debridement as a first-line treatment, but noted this option had a 54% healing rate.

Researchers studied 32 patients who had reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) and underwent reoperation for infection. In 23 cases, the involved implant was a primary prosthesis. In nine cases, revision prostheses were the involved implant. As six patients required two successive surgeries, a total of 38 procedures were performed which included debridement, one-stage revision, two-stage revision or implant removal.

Findings showed the total complication rate was 26%. Investigators cited Propionbacterium acnes and coagulase-negative staphylococci as the main causes for infection. Of the 32 patients, 26 patients had infections that completely cured. At the last follow-up, patients had a total Constant score of 46, with a mean gain of 12 points.

The mean postoperative Constant score after debridement was 51, and healing rate with the procedure was 54%. Investigators found Constant scores of 46 for one- or two-stage revision procedures vs. 25 for implant removal; however, the healing rates were comparable for the revision and removal groups. Surgical treatment did not significantly improve patients with low initial Constant scores, according to researchers. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo

Disclosures: Jacquot reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.